Season: Two, sometime after Runner
Characters: Mainly SGA-1 and OC, along with a little Beckett and Weir
Spoilers: Minor one The Sanctuary
Description: An ancient puddle jumper, a curse, a legendary creature, and a drink more addictive than coffee.
The Cursed One
by Rexy48
An ancient ship approached the planet, speeding up rather than slowing down for the decent into the atmosphere. At the front console a woman struggled to regain control, fighting against the malfunctioning instruments. She had been a fool to think the ship would last another trip, but the cargo was too valuable to pass up. She only hoped that it would be enough – there would be no returning ever again.
An alarm went off, alerting her of the dangerous decent, as if she didn't already know. The ship had cleared the outer atmosphere, and she could now make out the dark forest below. She willed the ship to slow as she desperately sought out the village and mountains she had called home for so long. There would be no time for illusions this time. If the villagers had thought her differently before, what would they think when they saw the ship?
A soft chuckle emerged. Thinking of such a trivial thing at a time like this, she really was losing her edge. The village came into view, and with her entire strength she tugged at the controls, constantly thinking, 'slow down, slow down!' She had only a few moments to realize the ship had indeed slowed before it slammed down into the forested ground. The sudden impact propelled her forward into the controls and into darkness.
"We are pleased to come to such a fair agreement," Leioa Ovali stated, smiling at the group of four travelers. "Please tell your commander that we will begin harvesting the required items right away." Her eyes lingered on one for a moment longer, the smile a little more forced, before she turned back to the leader. "You are welcome to stay as long as you would like while we make the necessary arrangements."
The leader of the group offered a charming smile. "Thank you, but we need to head back and report to our people." One of the other three looked relieved at those words, despite trying to hide it. Leioa cast another glance at him before nodding.
"Very well. We look forward to your return." She stood and saw the four out of the office. Her assistant Woval approached with an apprehensive look.
"Did you notice the …"
"How could I not?" she interrupted, a touch of disgust in her tone. "They didn't seem the least bit concerned though, even allowed him to speak freely. Strange."
"Should we keep watch on them?"
"No, despite the circumstances he doesn't seem capable of any hostile actions. If anything it was his companions to fear. Still…" She left it at that, as puzzled by the incident as her assistant. With a shrug she moved back to the desk to prepare for the trade.
The four companions walked single file down the narrow path that led from the village to the stargate. Around them ancient trees rose high to the sky like silent sentinels. They had been walking close to thirty minutes and were finally nearing the gate. Although there was a larger road that allowed for wagons, it was over double the length as it weaved around the edge of the forest. They had mutually agreed to take the 'short cut' through the forest, despite rougher terrain than the road. It gave one of the travelers plenty complain about: the walk, the bugs, the heat, and almost everything else. His companions had learned to tone him out long ago – at least when it came to his complaining. A sudden change in tone returned their attention to him.
"Was it just me or was there something odd about that meeting?" Three sets of eyes turned to look at him, wondering where the question had come from.
"What do you mean?" Teyla inquired. "The Batigins agreed to our trade arrangement. I am sure Dr. Weir will be pleased with the result."
"No, that's not what I mean," McKay clarified. "Was it just me or did that councilwoman keep glancing in my direction throughout that whole meeting?"
"Don't flatter yourself Rodney, I don't think she was admiring the view. It might have had something to do with the scanner you kept fiddling with." The scientist glared back and Sheppard laughed. "Lighten up. We're getting a fresh supply of those palaka beans you like so much, remember?" Palaka beans were similar to coffee beans only more potent. Many on Atlantis (including nearly all of the scientific teams) had switched over to the stronger beans.
"I know but …"
"Why make a big deal out of nothing? You're just mad that you couldn't find the energy readings that Sgt. Hackett's team found last time they were here."
McKay wasn't going to argue that. When Sgt. Hackett's team had returned from their initial encounter with the Batigins, they had reported a strong energy source emitting from the forests nearby. A search of the area had been futile when the source just disappeared. Dr. Weir had agreed to send out another team to search for the device as well as offer a trade agreement with the Batigins.
When their team had returned to the planet, Sheppard and Teyla had proceeded to the village to start the trade agreement while McKay and Ronon searched the forest. Yet even with his more powerful scanners and Ronon's tracking ability they were unable to locate the source. They had rejoined their companions near the end of the negotiations. Despite paying more attention to his scanner than the conversation at hand, McKay wasn't blind to the odd looks cast his way by the leader. He was just glad to be leaving.
Before he could comment the scanner in his hand flashed brightly. He stopped abruptly, ignoring the angry grunt from Ronon who had to sidestep to avoid crashing into him. His eyes read over the data, a puzzled expression on his face. "This can't be right."
"What is it?" Sheppard asked, heading back to him.
"The scanner picked up a sudden surge in energy."
"That's good. Which direction?"
"No you don't understand. It's not in the forest it's…" He paused, eyes looking up at the sky. "Coming from above us," he concluded, mouth dropping as his eyes made out an object in the sky.
"What is that?" Teyla asked, looking up. It was hard to see clearly through the cover of the leaves.
"I'm not sure but it looks like a –"
"Puddle jumper?" Sheppard finished. The four sets of eyes were filled with disbelief - it was a puddle jumper. "It's descending too fast, it's going to crash!" The four could only watch as the ship continued its path downward, slowing down at the last moment before crashing into the ground somewhere to the north. The resulting shake nearly knocked them from their feet, sending several trees to the ground and hundreds of birds to the air.
Without a word the four were running to the crash site. The jumper lay among the ruins of several large trees, small tufts of steam coming from the rear thrusters. It was similar to the ships on Atlantis except slightly slimmer and with a greenish color to the panels.
"It is not one of ours," Teyla stated, relief evident in her voice.
"But whose is it?" McKay asked.
"Let's find out," Sheppard said, moving forward. "Be ready." Ronon had already raised his gun, and Teyla readied her P-90. McKay looked at the scanner in his hands.
"There is one life sign coming from the ship," he informed the group. "The ship's power is also fading. Better open the door before it shuts off completely." Sheppard nodded and activated the rear hatch. It slowly lowered, the sunlight rushing into the dark interior as if to fill a void. The back storage bay was littered with overturned boxes and barrels, tightly sealed and apparently locked. In the front compartment was the unmoving body of a woman, slouched over the control panel.
Moving in Sheppard found no one else inside. He signaled to Ronon, and they carefully lifted the woman up and out of the jumper, laying her gently on the ground outside. She appeared in her mid-thirties, her skin a deep tan, hair jet black and curly. A large lump was on the side of her head, and her left wrist was swollen. Her clothes were similar to what the Batigins had worn with the exception of a bulky belt around her waist.
"She's…" McKay started.
"Human, yeah. Besides a sprained wrist and a nasty bump to the head she appears okay." Sheppard looked back at the jumper. "But how'd she get a jumper, let alone fly it?"
"An Ancient?" Teyla asked. "Or simply a carrier of the gene?"
"That's what we need to find out, after we get her to Beckett."
"Would it not be better to bring her to the village?"
"The gate is much closer than the village at this point. I don't think it's wise to carry her further than necessary in case of any unknown injuries. Besides, this way Beckett will be able to test for the gene. We need to make a stretcher to carry her on. Ronon, give me a hand. McKay, you and Teyla go dial Atlantis and have a medical team on standby."
"What about the ship? We can't just leave it here."
"You said it was out of power right? It's not going anywhere, and right now this is more important." Grudgingly McKay agreed, and he and Teyla quickly headed out.